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DSL Modem or Router

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by the original bobbo

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Which is better and why? A DSL Modem or a Router.

5 replies

by millennium tech support

In a nutshell, if you have the option, go with the router. The newest 'hype' for DSL is ISPs using PPPoE. Most routers today have PPPoE support built in so there's no need to run a separate service (overhead).

by clearsmashdrop

Err..Im a bit confused by your question. I have both a DSL modem and a DSL router because they are two different things.

My DSL connection ( PACBELL, STATIC IP's) requires my Alcatel DSL modem.

From the modem, I can run an ethernet cable to a hub or a single computer. ( I have 5 static Ip's )

However, I also have a SMC Barricade which is a DSL router. I provides DHCP, and NAT so that I have a bit of protection from the outside. Also, it comes with a built in printer server, which is quite handy.

I dont have a PPOE connection. But the router I am using is capable of handling that. Try reading hardware reviews on www.practicallynetworked.com .

People will point out which home routers work better than others.

by gaspul

It depends on your application. Once you determine what application you want to run, you'll know what to use.

by ebob

At the very least, you will ALWAYS have a DSL "modem". If you are sharing this connection with more than one computer then you need a hub (or switch) plus a router to connect your LAN with the network which is your physical connection to your ISP. There may be a firewall between the hub/switch and router. In turn this connects to one of their routers, which connects to more networks, and eventually to "the Internet".

Most of the "DSL Routers" out there are actually combination boxes that include 4 switched LAN ports, DHCP server, address translation, firewall capabilities, etc. Some of the more recent models also include a built-in DSL "modem".

It is likely that for most of us, our DSL provider wants us to use a specific "modem". Alcatel seems to be the brand of choice for many providers in Canada and the U.S. There are others. So if we are trying to share this link, then our choice is usually a "DSL Router" (combination box as described) that does NOT also include the modem.Clear as mud?

by the original bobbo

When we switched from ISDN to DSL we kept our 35 static ips which are routable. Installed a DSL modem and firewall. From the DSL modem we go directly into our 3COM Hubs. From the hubs to all the servers.
The only thing that I have noticed is that my bandwidth drops quiet a bit during different times of the day. We did not have this problem with ISDN which was on an Asecnd router.
So I would like to really know if a router would solve this?
Thanks for the replies.
Bob

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